30 things I'm grateful for

my sweet loving kitty

up-coming trip to Brookline

selling another book

job interview went well

nice couple next door

putting things in God's hands

honesty

an awesome church

friend Isabella

emails from my brother

joining a kindness website

avoiding the news

taking a class

a good education

cleaning my patio and getting flowers

fun at the ball game last night

the book i'm reading

a cool day

water aerobics

a new idea for a children's story about the molasses flood

all the new babies in church

a car in good shape and dependable also

compassion for self and others

Australia and their gun control laws

meet up groups

volunteer efforts

poetry readings

trust

nice clean sheets and dream filled sleep

A Rose for Alison (c)

Go, fierce death, please go.
(Schubert, "Death of a Maiden")

O you of fresh talent,

on the blush of youth,

taken from us too soon,

too soon.

Innocent, and brimming 

with enthusiasm,

your image captivated millions

as we witnessed your savvy

and skill,

so keen for one so young,

Slain
    cut
                    down.

Shame 

for the one who did this

to you, to us, to the world.

You had the sweetest and 

most comprehensive soul

hewed from a heart of gold.

Shine on, in truth and beauty.

by Dana Stone

Found and Lost

He approached me after the 

open mic

smiling

I could see him listening with interest as I

stumbled over

the word "cacacaphony,"

putting emphasis on the third

syllable rather than

the second.

"It's ok," he told me.

"It endears you to everyone 

all the more."

We continued the chat for an hour
on the patio of the cafe
and he offered to show me around Durham
some time
then emailed me next day about a hike and picnic.

It was not to be.
Too many differences.
It seems that chemistry blinds
us to a person's character.
I'm still reeling a bit over this.
He was awfully handsome.
But not what I need right now.

Next time,
I'll propose tea.

My Last Night in Black Mountain

     I drove over to the Black Mountain College Museum in Asheville this afternoon.  The poet Jonathan Williams was in one documentary there in which he described what it was like being a student at the College. Also watched the dvd, Fully Awake which had Arthur Penn, Charles Stix, Merce Cunningham, and many others sharing their memories about the school.

     Lunch was at the Sprouted Seed then headed over to the Thomas Wolfe museum.  I really should read :  "Look Homeward, Angel."  The guide, Mr. Spivey, was excellent and told us that a film is coming out called Genius about Wolfe in December.

     Ended the evening with a book reading and signing at Malaprops.  David Payne read from Barefoot to Avelon.  Perfect end to a literary day.

Channeling Black Mountain College

Dark clouds cover

Eden Lake

as I read on the 

porch of 

The Studies Building.

was this the place where

Arthur Penn

directed his first play?

Where _______

led his philosophy class?

(more on the classes and the influence of BMC)

The List

The List

Black Mountain College

a place where teachers, 

students, and  families 

lived together on 

a campus that they helped 

to build, nurture, and grow.

Shared meals,

conversations begun

in the classroom 

continued at dinner and

into the night.

No grades

Students accepted into 

grad school with no 

questions asked

John Cage

Merce Cunningham

Willem de Kooning

(looking like Marlon Brando)

Buckminster Fuller

Ray Johnson

Robert Raschenberg

M. C. Richards

Arthur Penn

Changed the face of 

American art.

You're the Top

   You're the top,

just like Madame Curie,

you're the top,

you won't have to worry.

You've got the smile,

you've got the style,

so stop!

Oh Margot, you're the top!

You're the Charles,

you're the Boston Common.

you've got finesse,

like a Boston Brahman.

You're a melody,

a symphony,

by Bach.

Oh, Margot, you're the top!

You're the top,

just like Audrey Hepburn.

You're the top,

just like

Senator Warren,

You're a holiday,

a funny play by Spock!

Oh, Margot, you're the top. 

You're a rose

in the Minot Playground,

you're a boat

in the Bay of Broad Sound.

You make us smile,

we'd walk for miles,

or hop!

Oh, Margot you're the top.

You're a sigh

God-Smacked

God-Smacked

(Montreat, August, 2015)

Everywhere I look

sunlight on the hills

pre-schoolers walking in a line in front of me

strung together like little peas

on their way to do what pre-schoolers do best.

Joggers out for a morning run,

Me being warmed by the morning sun.

Chants being sung from the forest --

whoa - a - oh - a- oh

whoa - a oh - a - oh

A leaf blower shrieks

from the deck below.

The cacophony doesn't disturb me though.

Peace within, peace within.

Above, below, beside me.

Just being

Seeing

Here.